Foundations of the U.S. Constitution Created by The University of North Texas in partnership with the Texas Education Agency Declaration of Independence Second Continental Congress Meeting Delegates from 13 original American colonies Meeting in Philadelphia Thomas Jefferson from Virginia UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 2 1781 Articles of Confederation Government to be conducted by a one-house legislature Strict term limits - no person could serve more than three years in a 6- year period UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 3 1781 Articles of Confederation Only legislature can: Declare war Make peace Enter into treaties and alliances Manage relations with Indian nations Coin money Settle differences between states Establish a postal system Appoint a Commander in Chief UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 4 1781 Articles of Confederation Common treasury funds to pay for defense or general welfare Paupers, vagabonds, fugitives from justice, and slaves were not entitled to the privileges and immunities of free citizens of the state Major legislation would require a two-thirds vote for passage Amendments to the Articles would require a unanimous vote of the states UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 5 U.S. Constitution Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 March 4, government of the U.S. began operation under the new Constitution UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 6 Bill of Rights Protect human rights proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence Amendment #1: freedom of speech and freedom of religion Amendment #2: well regulated Militia to ensure security of a free State Amendment #3: no soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 7 Bill of Rights Amendment #4: right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures Amendment #5: Due process of the law, no double jeopardy, innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 8 Bill of Rights Amendment #6: in criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed Amendment #7: Suits of common law involving more than $20 have the right of trial by jury UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 9 Bill of Rights Amendment #8: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted Amendment #9: Enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people Amendment #10: powers not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution are reserved to the State respectively or the people UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 10 Civil Rights Guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution Due process of law - constitutional requirement for fundamental fairness in our legal and court system UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 11 Due Process of the Law The right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures (Fourth Amendment) The right not to be a witness against yourself (Fifth Amendment) In criminal prosecutions, the right for the accused to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and district where the crime was committed UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 1 2 Due Process of the Law Trial by jury in civil suits where the value in controversy exceeds $20 (Seventh Amendment) Excessive bail will not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 13 Abolition of Slavery Thirteenth Amendment Ended slavery in the United States UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 14 Right to Vote Fifteenth Amendment denied women the right to vote Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 15 Right to Vote Denial by Age 21 was the original voting age Protests during the Vietnam War 1971-Twenty-Sixth Amendment changed the voting age to 18 Vietnam Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 16 Peripheral Rights Not mentioned explicitly in the U.S. Constitution or Bill of Rights. Courts have recognized them as necessary. Example: Right of privacy UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 17 Assignments 1.Bill of Rights PowerPoint Assignment: Split the class into teams with two students. Each team must design a PowerPoint presentation that defines the first ten amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights). The PowerPoint must give clear examples for each amendment, using current examples. Each group will be assigned one amendment to thoroughly define to the class. 2. Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for the Classroom Brochure and Poster: Split the class into 10 groups. Each group must design a brochure that includes five rights and five responsibilities for student behavior in the classroom. Members of the class will discuss all of the brochures and select the best 10 rights and responsibilities for classroom behavior. The class will then design a poster listing the ten rights and responsibilities for class behavior in the classroom. Independent Practice Assignments UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright All rights reserved 18